Winter can be harsh on black skin. If you live in particularly harsh climates, your skin may be more prone to dryness, flaking, and irritation. Most people think they only need to protect their skin in the summer from sun damage, but preventing winter damage is crucial as well.
Face and Lips
Washing your face with a gentle cleanser daily and exfoliating with a scrub at least once a week to remove dead skin cells can keep skin in tip-top shape. Apply a sunscreen with SPF 30 to your face to prevent sun damage. Lips should be kept moist with either a moisturizing lip balm.
Products to try:
* Face: St. Ives Elements Olive Oil Cleanser, Cetaphil Cleanser, St. Ives Apricot Scrub
* Lips: Burts Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate oil
Water & Your Skin
Avoid using hot water during baths and showers. Hot water robs the skin of moisture and causes dryness. Bathing or showering with lukewarm water is less harmful to the skin. Use a gentle liquid cleanser on skin instead of soap. After your bath or shower, apply a lotion or oil(oil absorbs better) to damp skin.
Products to Try:
* Skin Cleansers: Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soap Lavender, Citrus, or Peppermint scent, Caress Tahitian Renewal Body Wash, or Dove Body Wash After
* Bath/Shower Oil: Trader Joe's Lavender Oil, Neutrogena Body Oil, Nivea Original Moisture Lotion
Hands and Feet
Hands and feet are often the driest area on the human body. Be sure to protect your hands with gloves if you live in an extremely cold climate. When you're washing dishes, use plastic gloves and apply a hand moisturizer if your hands are exposed to water more frequently. For your feet, consider soaking them once a week in a peppermint bath to relieve stress and irritation. For extremely dry feet, use a pumice every other day to remove dead skincells. Apply a moisturizing cream or oil to feet and cover with cotton socks.
Products to Try:
* Hand Creams: Carol's Daughter Lemon and Rose Hand Cream, Neutrogena Hand Cream
* Foot Treatments: Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme, The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion
Keeping your skin protected in winter is simple. Remember moisture is the key, and protecting your skin consists of more than just warm clothes. Drink plenty of water, and sleep with a humidifier in your room if necessary. For severe skin problems, avoid a self-diagnosis and see a dermatologist.
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